The Worst Day of the Year Ride makes a great gift for the holidays. Not only can you feel great about supporting the Community Cycling Center, you can give a fun and unique gift to friends and loved ones that they're sure to enjoy. Organizers are capping the event at 1,500 riders and it will sell out this year, so register early and buy gift certificates for all your friends.

Every year, the Worst Day of the Year Ride grows and gets better. This year is no exception. The capped number will ensure riders still have wide open streets to ride, plenty of yummy food along the way, and tons of support. There will be more treats and hot beverages on course and a packet pick up the night before.

( Buy a gift certificate ) ( Registration and info )

Do you remember your first bike? Did it have a banana seat, a tall orange flag on the back or cards clipped to the spokes? Do you realize it probably was your first introduction to self reliance, freedom and confidence? Unfortunately, these memories and skills are not a part of thousands of kids in our area because they simply don't have a bike.

The Community Cycling Center (CCC) is helping hundreds of children receive the gift of a first bicycle through their Holiday Bike Drive. This year, six hundred children in need will benefit from the generosity of thousands of people like you who donate bikes, volunteer your time and contribute financially. At the event, children select a bike, a helmet and participate in specialized bike safety education. This annual event is just one of the many programs the CCC offers year round.

Help play an integral part in young people's lives and their first steps in self reliance, freedom and confidence and put a smile on a child's face. Support the Community Cycling Center this holiday season by volunteering, donating a bike or contributing financially.

( Donate now ) ( More info )

Finally, a whole day of supported riding that WILL fit under the tree! Reach the Beach, Oregon's annual multi-route bike journey to Pacific City, has opened registration in time for the holidays. New for this year, Reach the Beach will offer a 110 route out of Corvallis that will take riders through wine country, along mostly-rural roads to the crashing surf of Cape Kiwanda and a gigantic beach party awaits. Other routes are 100, 77, 55 or 26 miles - your choice.

A special $65 registration fee is available just for the holidays. That even covers the minimum $50 fundraising goal. Ensure you've got all your favorite people along for the ride - buy a stack of gift certificates to slip under the tree.

( Purchase a gift certificate ) ( More info )

BikeCraft is the bike-lover's holiday gift bazaar that showcases local, handmade, bike-themed arts, crafts, films, music and more. Last year the event debuted at a coffee shop and the room was absolutely packed, so organizer Jonathan Maus has moved it to a larger venue - the main floor of the City Hall (1221 SW 4th Ave). Vendors include furniture fabricator Matt Cartwright, wool bike cap creator Shaun Deller, functional bike-adorned pottery makers James and Amy DeRosso and components manufacturer Chris King unveiling a new, unique catalog for 2007. Live music by the Trash Mountain Boys. The event goes from 4-8:00 pm.

( Vendor list ) ( More info )

What would the poster for a cycling street circus look like? That's what the organizers of Cirque du Cycling want to know - and they want to see your designs. Cirque du Cycling, presented by Laughing Planet, is a bike street fair and criterium June 16th on Mississippi Avenue in Portland.

All contest entrants will receive a free pass to the Worst Day of the Year Ride bike ride on February 11th. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Laughing Planet, a $50 gift certificate to Missing Link Toys and two free passes to the Worst Day of the Year Ride.

( Contest details ) ( More info )

Are you an ORbike member yet? Join now for discounts on rides, special give-aways and more. You'll get a newsletter to keep you up-to-date on all the free gifts you can claim throughout the year. That's right, free stuff, just for becoming a member. On top of that, when you register for certain rides, an automatic member discount will kick in and save you a bundle. For only $40, that's a savings you just don't want to pass up.

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